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The pub’s licence was suspended on July 26 after an urgent review requested by the police on the grounds of crime and disorder.

That was followed by a full hearing of the case by the sub-committee on Monday, August 19.

Councillors heard that there was an ongoing police investigation into the recent attack.

They were told the pub was the third worst for reported crime in the town centre in recent years.

No one from Admiral Taverns attended the hearing, but solicitor Jasmine Clamp said on its behalf that the pub was for sale and the company was offering a voluntary three-month suspension of the licence.

It wanted to work with the authorities to improve safety if the pub reopened.

The company said it would improve training and CCTV coverage and was prepared to comply with extra licence conditions to tackle problems.

She said the company was unaware of what had been happening at the pub despite meetings between the regional manager and the designated premises supervisor every four to six weeks.

After being told of the recent incidents, it had removed the supervisor and issued them with an eviction notice.

Miss Clamp told councillors: “They will do their utmost to ensure that the premises are safe moving forward.”

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The sub-committee was told there had been five assaults and one case of criminal damage reported at the pub this year.

Last year there had been one assault, cases of harassment and criminal damage, and three thefts.

Police licensing officer Julie Smart told the hearing that the level of violence appeared to be rising.

She said the licence holder was unaware of what was happening at its pub and appeared to rely on the council and police for information.

As well as the recent violent incidents and crime reports, there was evidence of poor management and concerns about drunkenness, underage drinking, smoking inside and customers drinking outside on the pavement which intimidated passersby.

Ms Smart said: “I’m very concerned about the long-term future of these premises while Admiral Taverns is the licence holder.”

Admiral Taverns is based at Chester and says it has about 800 premises nationwide which it lets to tenants.

It was named Best Tenanted/Leased Pub Company of the Year 2019 at the Publican Awards.